Lakewood, COLORADO Building Permit Guide

Permit Authority

Applies within Lakewood city limits. Separate approvals may also be needed from West Metro Fire Protection District, Jefferson County Public Health, zoning, engineering, or floodplain reviewers depending on scope.

Department

City of Lakewood Public Works Department, Permit Counter / Building and Construction Permits

Address

480 S Allison Parkway, Civic Center North, Lakewood, CO 80226

Phone

303-987-7500

Email

permitcounter@lakewoodco.gov

Website

https://www.lakewoodco.gov/City-Hall/Departments/Public-Works/Building-and-Construction-Permits

Online Permit Portal

Application Process

1. Confirm whether the work is permit-exempt using the city exemptions handout and permit types page.
2. Create a homeowner or contractor eTRAKiT account.
3. Submit the permit application through eTRAKiT with valuation, plans, and required supporting documents.
4. If contractor work is included, ensure all contractors and subcontractors are registered and attached before issuance.
5. Pay plan review fees when assessed; permit fees and estimated use tax are collected at issuance.
6. After permit issuance, schedule required inspections through eTRAKiT.
7. Complete final inspection and obtain certificate of occupancy or certificate of completion when applicable.

Typical processing time: Not clearly published on the main permit page; inspections requested by 7 a.m. are typically performed the same day.

Source: City of Lakewood Public Works Department, Permit Counter / Building and Construction Permits

General Requirements

Other than very minor cosmetic work, all construction requires a building permit. Lakewood publishes a separate exemptions list.

Required Documents

• Completed application
• Valuation including labor and materials
• Plans showing existing and proposed work
• Project-specific supporting documents
• Asbestos survey/report for most renovation projects disturbing more than 32 square feet of interior finish
• West Metro Fire or Jeffco Public Health stamping for commercial plans if applicable

Permit validity

Current public-facing permit page does not clearly state the active expiration rule; verify on the city adopted code page or at permit issuance. Reopen expired permit fee is listed.

Building code

2021 code cycle including 2021 IPC. City permit pages point users to the city adopted building codes page; 2023 ordinance pages show adoption of 2021 code-cycle provisions. Confirm the full current code set on the city code page when preparing an application.

Owner-builder

Owner-occupant of a single-family detached home may pull the permit for work they perform. Townhome or duplex owners may do so only in some circumstances. LLCs, trusts, and corporations are not issued homeowner permits.

Contractor requirements

All contractors and subcontractors must be registered with the City of Lakewood; contractor registration and renewal are handled through eTRAKiT.

Fees

Minimum permit fee

$26 valuation-based minimum; several flat-fee permits also published, including $80 fences and $110 reroof permits for single-family/duplex residential units

Plan check fee

65% of permit fee for permits requiring plan review; master plan repeat-use fee listed at $325 per subsequent use

Permit fee formula

Primarily valuation-based; flat-fee categories exist for selected permit types; estimated use tax is collected at 3% of 50% of project valuation

Reinspection fee

$80 per hour minimum one hour

Penalty (no permit)

Additional plan review $65 per hour minimum four hours; reopen expired permit $60; permit fee may be doubled for emergency work not followed by next-business-day permit application

Payment note

Fees are paid through eTRAKiT; city advises callers to verify fee amounts because fee schedules change periodically.

Fees change. Verify current amounts at the official fee schedule (effective January 2021).

Work That Does NOT Require a Permit

• One-story detached accessory structures up to 120 square feet commercial or 200 square feet residential
• Movable cases, cabinets, counters, and partitions not over 5 feet 9 inches high
• Retaining walls not over 30 inches high unless supporting surcharge or impounding flammable liquids
• Water tanks on grade up to 5,000 gallons with qualifying proportions
• Private walks and driveways not more than 30 inches above grade and not over a basement/story below and not part of an accessible route
• Painting, paper, and similar finish work
• Prefabricated non-heated pools less than 24 inches deep without circulation system
• Temporary motion picture, television, and theater stage sets subject to fire approval
• Swings and playground equipment accessory to 1- and 2-family and townhome uses
• Window awnings on qualifying residential occupancies projecting not more than 54 inches
• Shutters, windows, gutters, doors, and other minor cosmetic additions not affecting structure
• Roof covering repairs less than 100 square feet unless removal of mechanical or electrical equipment is required
• Detached residential decks up to 200 square feet meeting the city handout conditions

Important: Confirm exemption applicability with the city before proceeding with minor work.

Inspections

How to Schedule

• eTRAKiT portal (online)
• 303-987-7768 (automated scheduling) (phone)

Scheduling deadline

Requests by 7 a.m. are typically performed the same day; inspections may be scheduled up to 6 days in advance; requests may be placed 24 hours a day.

Inspection hours

Requests by 7 a.m. are typically performed same day

Time windows

Requests by 7 a.m. are typically performed same day; inspections may be scheduled up to 6 days in advance

Typical inspection sequence: Typical sequence includes footing, foundation, underground trade inspections, rough trade inspections, framing, insulation/air barrier, drywall or specialty stages, final systems inspections, and final building inspection.

Additional Resources

• Building code: 2021 code cycle including 2021 IPC. City permit pages point users to the city adopted building codes page; 2023 ordinance pages show adoption of 2021 code-cycle provisions. Confirm the full current code set on the city code page when preparing an application.
• Verify contractor license: Contractor Registration
• Zoning information: View zoning info
• Owner-builder rules: View rules
• Inspections
• Exemptions from Permits
• Permit for Contractors
• License lookup guide: Colorado Contractor License Requirements
• Contract template: Colorado Homeowner-Contractor Agreement
• Colorado hub: Colorado Contractor License & Permit Hub

Other cities in Jefferson County